Sunday 16 June 2013

Guilt


It has caused me stress, sleepless nights and headaches.   I’m talking about guilt. The guilt of not being able to be in two places at once.  The guilt of having to make a choice between two things, both being equally important.  The guilt of disappointing someone or letting someone down.   The guilt of having to say ‘no’.  The guilt of doing something for myself.   I have been thinking an awful lot lately of the affect guilt has had in my life.  At times I have given it extreme power and allowed it to negatively impact what I do and how I do it.

 A few months ago I read an article that fit people into one of three categories depending on their personality traits.  I have to admit I don’t remember the whole article or even the other 2 categories, only the one in which I fit into; the ‘pleasers’.  I have to admit I don’t really care for the label but upon thinking about it, it fits.  I like helping people.  I like seeing others happy and content.  I am guilty of postponing or neglecting things for myself in order to please someone else.   Unfortunately this can get out of hand.  A person can be so immersed in trying to please others, trying to rid themselves of guilt and the feeling of falling short in their own eyes, that it can take over and leave a person exhausted and unhappy.

Is doing something out of a sense of guilt, done with the right heart?  Can it end up being more damaging than good in the end?  

I’m working on this one (adding it to my challenges).

Alana Regier

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